Equipment case



A. A RUBEN EQUIPMENT CASE Dec. 12, 1933.

Filed Nov. '7, 1932 Zhwc nto o Abner/1. Ba 6022 Patented Dec. 12, 1933 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES This invention relates to luggage cases primarily adapted to be used in carrying and transporting ofiicers insignia and equipment and it is an object of the invention to provide a case which is especially equipped to serveas a means for carrying the epaulets, chapeau, belt, etc. in such a manner as to prevent damage to such equipment, which is not only costly but easily damaged, the purpose being to provide a case which will not only maintain it ingood condition, but also permit ready access to the articles packed beneath without undue handling of the other articles, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which is made apart hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts, 7

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the open case, partly in section. showing the equipment in 2 ..place therein,-

Figure 2, a section on line 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3, a section on line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4, a detail view showing the manner of securing the epaulets in place on the supports,

1 Figure 5, an enlarged view of a detail of Fig.

4, and

Figure 6, a perspective view of one of the epaulet supports showing the hook structure.

In the drawing reference character 10 indicates the case formed of any material suitable for the purpose and provided with a handle 11 secured in any suitable manner to the top 12. As shown, the top 12 fits over the top edge of the bottom portion 13 and is provided with lock fasteners 14. A support or rest 15 formed of a flat plate and of a length less than the width ofthe case is provided with'depending flanges 16 formed at each end. Bars 17 are secured to the flanges 16 and are pivotally mounted at their Jends on the parallel bars 18 and 19, which are in turn pivotally secured to the inside of the case near the top edge of the bottom portion 13 so that said support 15 maybe folded or collapsed into the case orbe lifted up and out of the way while removing other equipment therefrom. A like support is provided at each end of the case. The rests or supports 15 are each provided with a hook or loop 20 formed and extending upwardly at the center of the inner edge thereof for securing the narrow ends of an epaulet 21 in position with the fringed or tasseled ends 22 extending outwardly and adapted to hang down on the other side of the supports. Upstanding lugs 23 having openings 24 therein are provided on thesupports, and may be provided complished by simply placing the hook member with a cord or ribbon 25 which may be threaded through the openings 24 and tied over the shank of the epaulets 21 to hold them securely in place.

A protective pad or covering of any suitable material, such as tissue paper may also be placed under the cord or ribbon to further protect the gold braid or thread of which they are made from being tarnished and disfigured.

A hollow box or frame 26 is secured to the bottom of the case with the sides thereof spaced 05 from the sides-of the case so that a chapeau 27 may be placed over and held centrally of the case by it. The box 26 is intended for the belt 28, which may be coiled and inserted therein,

as clearly shown in the drawing. The inside of 7 thecase may'be lined with plush or any other suitable lining material.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the fastening means on the epaulets 21 which consists of a spring member 29 secured at one end to the underside 7 of the shank portion and provided with a post 30 at the'other end extending upwardly through the shank near the small end. A button 31 is secured to the top of the post and rests on the top of the epaulet. A hook member 32 is secured so to the underside of the epaulet and extends downwardly and then outwardly toward the tasseled end. The free end of the spring member 29 rests against the hook 32. A flat plate 33 is hinged at 34 to the underside of the shank and is provided with an aperture 35 therein adapted to fit snugly over the hook 32 against the underside of the shank. The plate 33 is used to secure the epaulet in place on a uniform having shoulder straps or loops instead of a metal loop or ring.

In order to prevent undue wear on the lining of the case and to insure free movement of the parts, washers 36 are positioned between the lower ends of the bars 18 and 19 and the inside of the case, as clearly shown in Figure 5. A stop or rest 37 is provided on the inside of the case to help bear the weight of the epaulets when the supports are folded into the case.

The manner of placing the equipment in the case is quite obvious. The supports 15 are lifted up and forced outward being limited by the top edge of the ends of the case as shown on the right side of Figure l. The belt 28 is coiled and placed in the box or hollow frame 26, the chapeau 27 is placed over the box or frame and is thus supported on the bottom, and held away from the sides. The epaulets 21 are secured to the loops 20 by' the same fasteners which are used to attach them to a uniform. This operation is ac- (I oE 32 over the projecting loop on the support and pulling to the right or left as the case may be until the spring member 29 is forced upwardly allowing the hook 20 to be seated in place, as clearly shown in Figure 4. The epaulet may be released by pulling upwardly on the button 31 to raise the spring member 29 and allow the hook 20 to be disengaged therefrom. The supports 15 are then folded into the case until they assume the position shown by whole lines on the left side of Figure 1, the downward movement being limited by the stop 37. The tassel or fringed ends 22 occupy the space at the ends of the case. The top of the case is of such a depth as to exert little pressure on the epaulets when in closed position. It may be readily seen that a device is provided in which the epaulet rests or supports are so positioned and mounted in the case that they can be lifted up and out of the way for easy removal of the chapeau and belt packed beneath them, this being a distinctive feature of the invention. By this arrangement a case of the character described is provided whereinall the equipment it is designed to contain is held, each article in its individual place, and is readily accessible without undue handling of the other articles, with consequent injury; and one that is practical from the standpoint of utility and simple in construction, making it most desirable and useful for the purpose for which it is intended. I Although the bars 18 and 19 have been shown as being straight and parallel, it should be under.- stood, that they may be angled or bent at an angle and parallel, if desired. It will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes may be made in the arrangement of the parts and details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore I do not limit myself to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with a case suitable for transporting insignia and the like of an epaulet support positioned therein, said support comprising a plate pivotally mounted with respect to the said case and to remain in a horizontal position as it is moved upwardly and outwardly of said case to permit easy access to the interior of said case, a hook on the inner end of said plate for detachably securing an epaulet in position thereon, and additional means positioned adja cent the sides of said support for holding an epaulet in place on said support, substantially as set forth. 1

2. A device for the purpose described comprising a luggage case, an epaulet support mounted in each end of said case, bars secured to the ends of said support, parallel bars pivoted to the, ends of first-named bars at their upper ends and to the inside of said case at their lower ends permitting said support to be collapsed into said case and to be moved upwardly and outwardly from said case, a hook fixed to said support for detachably securing an epaulet thereon, and lugs provided with securing means positioned on each side of said support for holding said epaulet in place thereon, substantially as set forth.

ABNER A. RUBEN. [1 .s.] 

